January Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Day 17 of the 30 objects in 30 days challenge.



January Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist



 Day 15 of the 30 objects in 30 days challenge. Half way point! I absolutely have thought a few times during this challenge I had lost my marbles for doing it! Just to prove that I haven’t I decided to paint one of my favorite marbles from my collection. Yes, I have a jar of marbles that was passed down from my Dad, I guess that is one reason I love the little glass orbs too.

“Found My Marble” ©2019 Leada Wood

The inspiration came from my shooter marbles that were my Dads and I loved the colors on this one. It is painted on a kids flash card 3x5 with an acrylic background. I then painted the marble in watercolor and gouache. I let the original flash card show through the background of acrylic paint for interest. Then I photographed it on another acrylic painted background.

"If every year was a marble, how many marbles do you have left? How many sunrises, how many opportunities to rise to the full stature of your being."---Joy Page

That is why I enjoy doing these challenges, to rise up and see if I can complete the task at hand. There is plenty going on in my life and I really don't need more to do but who can resist a challenge?



January Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Day 14 of the 30 objects in 30 days challenge.  My tribute to Charles Schulz and his amazing Peanuts gang would not be complete without good old Charlie Brown.  He has been called the best cartoon character of all time. Personality wise he is gentle, insecure, and lovable. He is full of determination and hope but frequently fails because of his insecurities, outside interferences or just plain old bad luck. While he can be smart, he over thinks things and this often gives him a tendency to procrastinate.

All the characters are his friends and his greatest skill is leadership, especially in baseball. He leads the team and keeps hoping for a victory despite their numerous failures and painful letdowns. He is always there yelling words of encouragement to the players and ready to lead them to the next game. Charlie Browns character inherited a massive number of traits from his creator, Charles Schulz.

Who doesn’t love this meek, gentle, innocent, polite, and kind-hearted child, who means well and cares deeply about his friends and family...good old Charlie Brown.

"Good Old Charlie Brown" ©2019 Leada Wood



January Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Day 10 of the 30 objects in 30 days challenge. You remember Kermit the Frog, who was Jim Henson’s most famous creation and the star and the host of the Muppet Show. I found a little Kermit in the kids play room and decided to paint it today. I can still hear him singing Rainbow Connection.

“What’s so amazing
That keeps us stargazing
And what do we think we might see
Someday we’ll find it
The rainbow connection,
The lovers, the  dreamers and me.” La da do da dum da duh.....I love that song and Kermit!

"Rainbow Connection" ©2019 Leada Wood

 One third of the way through! The objective is to create art every day. I love to paint but it becomes challenging after a while. I am learning to paint faster and make better decisions as I go so that’s a good thing.



January Challenge, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Day 9 of the 30 objects in 30 days challenge. Did you have a lucky bell on your bike when you were a kid? Well I did and I just loved to ring it while going up and down the street. Today’s bike bells are a lot more stylish that my bell but I bet they just don’t sound as sweet.



"Lucky Bell"  ©2019 Leada Wood

January Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Day 8 of the 30 objects in 30 days challenge. I thought painting a ball and 3 jacks would be a quick little piece but I was wrong! The ball went really good but oh those jacks! Not an easy task! If you are ever wanting a challenge try to paint try some jacks.



"OH THOSE  JACKS!" ©2019 Leada Wood

January Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Day  6 of the 30 objects in 30 days challenge. I am so blessed to be able to do this challenge. I get to make art everyday! It is not easy because life at our house continues. There are meals to cook, dishes to wash and cleaning and washing, grandkids to play with... you know LIFE! Our kitchen bar has become a mini studio and I can do other things while paint dries. It is much easier than running to the studio for a few hours.



"Blessed" ©2019 Leada Wood

I keep a little tote with paint and supplies so I can move it off and on the bar at mealtimes. The challenge was to choose 30 objects and paint one every day, not an easy task.  I chose kids flash cards for the substate and prepared the card before hand. I am loving looking at all the tiny art I am creating and I hope you are enjoying it too!

“The Candyman” by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"The Candyman" ©2018 Leada Wood

What would Christmas be without a few sweet treats? The smell of cinnamon, vanilla and peppermint wafting in the air and fresh baked cookies waiting to be decorated. Whatever your pleasure I hope you share some of your sweet treats with friends and loved ones.

I have a granddaughter who  LOVE, LOVE, LOVES candy and I thought of her fondly as I was painting The Candyman.  I just know all that candy is what has made her so sweet! We all need more sweetness in our lives of one kind or another so be charitable to everyone.  No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

“The Barista” by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"The Barista" ©2018 Leada Wood

Christmas is a time for reflecting and nostalgia. I have been thinking a lot about my family’s traditions during the holidays and it’s the small things I remember. Hot cocoa with marshmallows on a cold winter’s day, popcorn and Christmas movies with the kids, decorating the house with great cheer and making ornaments, singing carols and baking.

 For me Christmas memories are all about family and the fun times we have had. We are still making those memories with the newer members of our family and we hope they will be as special to them as they are to us. 

The inspiration for my art comes from ordinary, everyday life and the sweet folks who surround me. I feel very blessed to have the people I love to share  my life with and I thank God for them. I am also grateful for the gift of creativity and I hope you enjoy my little productions and they bring a little light into your world. Shine on!

Beginnings, Mixed Media, By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Beginnings ©2018 Leada Wood

Beginnings are easy, it's the endings that are difficult as you can see from the photo. It is especially true when working with mixed media in a series. Since there is a lot of drying time inbetween, I like to have a lot of beginnings so I can keep working. Mixed Media has lots of layers and you must push and pull those layers with paint until you are satisfied. That's what makes it so intriguing and fun! For me it's all about the process and experimental,  and the adventure always awaits.

Beginnings ©2018 Leada Wood

This is a peek at my paint table. I have two other tables and a wall of shelves with supplies around me when I am working. Mixed Media takes a little more room when working in a series, or at least for me it does. Love seeing all my pretty paint colors while I am working. 

Printed papers ©2018 Leada Wood

This is one container of collage materials that I have made. I use to make papers in every color and still do with my Gelli plate but find I use black collage more and more as it goes with everything. Kind of like that little black dress in your closet. These are hand printed papers and that is another days work.

Background painting ©2018 Leada Wood

Do you see what I see? Might not look like much yet but there are about seven layers on this beginning right now, and I do manipulate the paint by drippage, spritzing alcohol and splattering. I like to keep it transparent while building up the backgrounds, at least most of the time. There are no rules when experimenting with mixed media.  I work in a series of 6-12 substrates at a time creating backgrounds so that when I am ready to develop the painting I have many to choose from and can add more layers.That's the fun about Mixed Media, you never know what you are going to get, kind of like a box of chocolates.

I Hope you enjoyed a peek into my process and studio. Thanks for stopping by!